Monthly Archives: October 2016

Foster Kids Face Worse Mental and Physical Health Challenges, Study Finds – Benicia, CA Patch

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By Cody Fenwick

Children in foster care in the United States experience serious mental and physical health conditions at a much higher rate than those in the general population, a new study published in the journal Pediatrics found. Anxiety, behavioral problems, depression and attention challenges are all much more prevalent among foster kids, as well as asthma, obesity and hearing and vision impairments.

Kristin Turney, a co-author of the report and associate professor of sociology at the University of California, Irvine, noted that the study is the first to make this kind of comparison.

Source: Foster Kids Face Worse Mental and Physical Health Challenges, Study Finds – Benicia, CA Patch

National School Spending Inches Up to $623 Billion, Says Recent Federal Data – Education Week

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By Andrew Ujifusa

Spending on the nation’s public schools has gone up slightly, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, with state spending on K-12 increasing at exactly the same rate as federal spending has gone down.

In a blog post published last Friday, NCES reported that the amount of money spent per pupil in elementary and secondary schools rose by 1.2 percent from fiscal 2013 to fiscal 2014, up to $11,066 per student, after declining from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2013. (Hat-tip to Mike Zinshteyn at the Education Writers Association.)

Spending from federal, state, and local resources totaled $623 billion in fiscal 2014. From fiscal 2013 to fiscal 2014, state revenues for schools rose by 3.9 percent, from $278 billion to $288 billion, while federal revenue dipped by 3.9 percent, from $57 billion to $56 billion, according to the post written by Stephen Q. Cornman and Lauren Musu-Gillette. Local spending rose by 0.5 percent, from $279 billion to $281 billion.

Source: National School Spending Inches Up to $623 Billion, Says Recent Federal Data – Politics K-12 – Education Week

School district races get local, local, local – Daily Republic

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By Daily Republic

The Fairfield-Suisun School District completes a move to district voting this election season that was implemented as a proactive measure to stave off threatened litigation under the federal Voting Rights Act. The decision to move to area voting was the correct move for the district.

Four of the district’s seven area seats were up for consideration Nov. 8.

Judi Honeychurch saw no challenger in Trustee Area 3. She’s a career educator with experience that includes high-level school administration. That experience makes her a valuable asset for the community in terms of setting policy for the sprawling district. It’s good that she’s returning to the board.

Source: School district races get local, local, local – Daily Republic

School board to hear elementary school student achievement plans at Thursday’s meeting – Benicia Herald

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By Nick Sestanovich

The Governing Board of the Benicia Unified School District will vote to approve the Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) for each of the site’s four elementary schools at Thursday’s meeting.

The SPSA is established by school site councils to develop goals, aligned to BUSD’s Local Control Accountability Plan, which would support the academic performance of all students. Each site team studies state and local measures to gauge progress and put together plans that represent the uniqueness of each school. The principals of each of Benicia’s elementary schools will present their plans to the school board, just as they did last year.

In its SPSA, Mary Farmar Elementary Principal Wendy Smith outlined the school’s vision and mission statement, which was to “provide a safe, stimulating learning environment in which all children will learn and prepare for the opportunity to attend college if they choose. They will develop a respect for themselves and others with sensitivity to, and appreciation for, cultural and individual diversities.”

Source: School board to hear elementary school student achievement plans at Thursday’s meeting

At Sierra Vista, Ernest Kimme Service Day – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Is it ever too early to learn the value and benefits of community service, of doing for others without the thought of reward?

Not at Sierra Vista, where eager students on Monday presented brief summaries of their service-learning projects to the wife of the late Ernest Kimme, a longtime Vacaville educator, civic leader, Reporter columnist and philanthropist. He died Aug. 12, 2015, of complications from radiation treatment for cancer.

From midmorning to early afternoon, Kimme’s wife, Margi Stern, entered classrooms at the Bel Air Drive campus to provide background information about her husband on a special day, Ernest Kimme Service Day, an overcast day that would have been his 62nd birthday, and at a place that also houses the Ernest Kimme Charter Academy for Independent Learners, named in his honor.

Source: At Sierra Vista, Ernest Kimme Service Day

Students share knowledge of Constitution in annual contest – Daily Republic

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By Daily Republic Staff

Winning students in the annual Constitution Essay Contest will be honored Saturday.

This year’s topic was, “What does it mean to you to be a citizen of the United States of America? Why is U.S. citizenship tied to the right to vote, and how is that relevant to other issues our country currently faces?”

Judges, retired teachers and members of supporting organizations said they were impressed by the creative ideas, knowledge and insights many students expressed in their essays, according to a press release about the contest.

Source: Students share knowledge of Constitution in annual contest

A Student-Led Pokémon Go Project Transforms a School | Edutopia

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By Natalie Catlett

During winter vacation, the Pokémon Go fever exploded here in Brazil. Students came back talking ceaselessly about Pokémon Go, PokéStops, and all the unexpected places they had discovered Pokémon.

As their art teacher, I felt completely out of the loop. What was Pokémon Go? What were PokéStops? How did you know where to find them? All I knew was that Pokémon Go was an augmented reality game for mobiles, but once I heard one of my students mention finding a Pokémon at the statue of Albert Einstein, I knew we could use the game as a learning tool. After all, it led him to an iconic landmark.

Source: A Student-Led Pokémon Go Project Transforms a School | Edutopia

California high school graduation rates close in on national average | EdSource

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By Louis Freedberg

California lags slightly behind the national average in high school graduation rates, but has increased more substantially over the last five years than the national average, according to figures for 50 states released Monday by the U.S. Department of Education.

President Barack Obama touted improving graduation figures at a speech at a Washington D.C. high school Monday morning as part of an effort by his administration to showcase the progress officials say has occurred during Obama’s eight years in office.

The figures show that between 2010-11 and 2014-15, the average graduation rate nationwide, based on graduation rates reported by all 50 states and the District of Columbia, increased to 83.2 percent, compared to 82 percent in California.

Source: California high school graduation rates close in on national average | EdSource

Paint party boosts program for Solano’s aged-out foster youth – Daily Republic

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By Susan Hiland

The blue paint was bright against the white background as 34 painters, mostly beginners or those who hadn’t painted for years, dashed brushes across easels Sunday to benefit aged-out foster youth.

Agnes Stewart began doing Easy Easel Painting parties last year as something fun for herself. Then it occurred to her that there was the potential to help raise money for Heart 2 Heart, a group that helps foster teens learn life skills. She is also a member of the organization.

“I raise a little money each time I do a party,” Stewart said. “But this time 100 percent of what is raised will go to Heart 2 Heart.”

Source: Paint party boosts program for Solano’s aged-out foster youth

Plan to achieve racial, ethnic balance on Kairos agenda – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

A facilities update and a plan to achieve racial and ethnic balance are on the agenda when the Kairos Public School Vacaville Academy board of directors meets Monday night in Vacaville.

School executive director Jared Austin, who has led the K-8 Elm Street campus for three years, will make both presentations to the independent charter school’s seven-member board.

The agenda document about the facilities update is brief, one sentence, indicating that Austin would present information about the school and the Kairos Innovative Scholars Program facilities projects.

Of the plan to achieve racial and ethnic balance, he will cite the law, from the California Education Code, that governs the matter: A charter school “will achieve racial and ethnic balance” that reflects the district to which it is aligned. Kairos, with more than 500 students, is aligned with Vacaville Unified, with some 12,500 students, but, based on data from VUSD, the differences are startling.

 

Source: Plan to achieve racial, ethnic balance on Kairos agenda

Solano Co. Education Board Names New School Superintendent – Dixon Patch

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By Susan C. Schena

The Solano County Board of Education has selected Lisette Estrella-Henderson as the Solano County Office of Education County Superintendent of Schools following the retirement of Jay Speck.

Estrella-Henderson will take the oath of office in January 2017 and complete the remainder of Speck’s term, which ends Jan. 7, 2019.

Estrella-Henderson has worked for SCOE for nearly 13 years in a variety of roles including Program Manager of Instructional Support and English Language Learner Programs, Director of District and School Support, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, and her current position as Associate Superintendent of Student Program sand Educational Services.

Source: Solano Co. Education Board Names New School Superintendent

Using Emojis to Teach Critical Reading Skills | Edutopia

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By Marissa King

Emojis are more mainstream than ever. The Oxford English Dictionary named the Face With Tears of Joy emoji the word of the year for 2015, presidential candidates are asking for feedback in emojis, and the appearance of new emojis is considered news by major media outlets.

Although looking up emoji definitions is relatively simple, I often turn to my students for more nuanced explanations. After a bit of laughter, my students patiently demonstrate the multiple uses for a single emoji, help me decode emoji-laden Instagram comments, and advise me on murky racial or gender implications.

Source: Using Emojis to Teach Critical Reading Skills | Edutopia

Duel between California and Obama administration over education continues | EdSource

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by Louis Freedberg

The long-running battle between California and the federal government over the direction of state education policy continues, despite passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act, the new federal education law that delegates far more decision-making powers to local school districts than its much-maligned predecessor, the No Child Left Behind law.

In an unexpected response two weeks ago, the U.S. Department of Education rejected California’s application for a federal waiver from having to administer the California Standards Tests in science, a multiple choice test based on outdated science standards adopted nearly two decades ago.

What makes the latest run-in with the administration so head-scratching is that it comes in the waning months of the Obama administration — over a relatively small piece of a student’s standardized testing regimen, at least compared to the Smarter Balanced math and English tests aligned with the Common Core standards.

Under the No Child Left Behind law, as well as the Every Student Succeeds Act replacing it, states are required to administer a science test each year to 5th- and 8th-graders, and once to high school students, and to report the scores on those tests.

Source: Duel between California and Obama administration over education continues | EdSource

Estrella-Henderson next superintendent of Solano County schools – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

When she heard the governing board’s decision, Lisette Estrella-Henderson was seated in the Solano County Office of Education meeting room.

“It was probably a good thing,” she said Thursday afternoon, then laughed, less than 24 hours after being named the new superintendent of county schools.

“I’m very honored and pleased,” said Estrella-Henderson, for more than five years the associate superintendent for student programs and educational services at SCOE offices in Fairfield. A 32-year career educator, she will replace Jay Speck, who retires Dec. 31.

Estrella-Henderson, who earns $188,600 in her current job, will be sworn in during early January, becoming the first Latina and only the second female of Solano County public schools history, which dates to 1853.

 

Source: Estrella-Henderson next superintendent of Solano County schools

Torlakson Announces CA Teachers of the Year – Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today selected five outstanding educators as the 2017 California Teachers of the Year.

“I am pleased to honor five dedicated and hardworking teachers who use their creativity and talents every day to make a huge difference in their classrooms,” Torlakson said. “These inspiring and innovative teachers enrich the lives of our students while helping them to succeed in 21st century careers and college. These teachers represent the best of their profession and serve as great examples.”

Presented by California Casualty and the California Teachers of the Year Foundation, the California Teachers of the Year Program began in 1972 to honor outstanding teachers and encourage new teachers to enter the profession.

Source: Torlakson Announces CA Teachers of the Year – Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education)

Vacaville Unified bus transportation budget tops $2.3 million – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

A Vacaville Unified transportation leader will meet today with district officials at the Educational Services Center to continue planning in detail bus schedules that will align with the district’s new start times for the 2017-18 school year.

The planned meeting was announced last week during a district governing board meeting, when transportation supervisor Jodie Peters presented an overview of her department’s current services, staffing levels, budget, and fleet status, among other things.

Department services range from busing special needs students to and from school, from home to therapy (as needed), busing school-choice students, providing transportation for athletic and activity trips, and busing students who participate in the Early College High School program.

Source:  Vacaville Unified bus transportation budget tops $2.3 million – The Reporter

Vacaville Unified supe offers A-to-Z district snapshot – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Despite recent bad news that several Solano County unified school districts have some of the lowest average-daily-attendance funding in California, Vacaville’s can still lay claim to some decidedly positive news.

Science kits in elementary classrooms, Chromebooks for every student across 16 district campuses, Measure A projects, PE teachers at every elementary school, and increased pay for employees were among the highlights cited by Superintendent Jane Shamieh during her 2015-16 annual report when she updated trustees and the public during last week’s governing board meeting.

Stepping down from the dais in the Educational Services Center and standing behind a lectern to face trustees, she moved quickly during her slide presentation, recalling last year’s major board actions and initiatives for students and employees, something of an A-to-Z snapshot of the district.

 

Source: Vacaville Unified supe offers A-to-Z district snapshot

VUSD incumbent trustees face no challengers, will automatically be elected – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Kitzes, manager of the Vacaville Children’s Mental Health Clinic; Mahlberg, a marriage and family therapist in Vacaville; Windham, a Vacaville police officer; and Tracee Stacy, publisher of Prime Time Living magazine and a longtime district volunteer who has sought a board seat in the past, earlier this year notified the Solano County Registrar of Voters of their intentions to run for the four-year terms.

But because they were the only ones to file intent-to-run documents, they will all be automatically elected. Their names will not appear on the ballot.

One two-year seat will be filled by current board member John Jansen, who was appointed in 2015 to serve the remainder of Jeremy Jeffreys term ending in 2018.

Source:  VUSD incumbent trustees face no challengers, will automatically be elected – The Reporter

 

Preschoolers apply pedal power at Fairfield trike-a-thon – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

There were traffic jams but no crashes Wednesday at the ninth annual trike-a-thon at T.C. McDaniel Early Learning Center.

The event raises money for the school’s motor lab while supporting motor development in preschoolers with all ability levels.

The youngsters, ages 2 to 5, were cheered on by parents and staff at the center as they launched laps under an arch of balloons. There were pompoms for those who wanted to take cheering an extra step.

Some participants opted to ride in wagons pulled by staff and family.

Source: Preschoolers apply pedal power at Fairfield trike-a-thon

Prop. 55: Initiative to extend income tax increases to benefit schools | EdSource

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By John Fensterwald

With Gov. Jerry Brown vowing to cut $6 billion in funding to K–12 schools and community colleges if they didn’t approve a temporary tax increase, voters in 2012 passed Proposition 30, raising the state sales tax and personal income tax on the wealthiest Californians.

Now, Californians are being asked to extend for a dozen years a slightly modified version of the tax, generating roughly the same amount of revenue, depending on economic conditions, under a new name, Proposition 55. Only this time, supporters must make the case without the governor’s help. Brown is staying neutral, saying in a state budget press conference in May, “I said it was temporary when I started, when I got Prop. 30 passed — and I think I’ll leave it there.”

Education funding isn’t as dire as it was four years ago, pre-Prop. 30. But advocates say continuing the revenue is essential for education because many school districts are barely above the funding levels they were at before the Great Recession.

Source: Prop. 55: Initiative to extend income tax increases to benefit schools | EdSource